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MCEC lights up for Starlight
In a night that made a lasting impact on the 550 guests in attendance, the Starlight Five Chefs Dinner, proudly sponsored and hosted by Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), raised vital funds to support the Starlight Children’s Foundation (Starlight).
The event, held on Thursday 16 May, raised enough funds to support Starlight’s hospital programs at The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and Monash Children’s Hospital for four months, and granted 15 life-changing Starlight Wishes.
The evening featured a five-course degustation designed by leading Victorian chefs including: Benjamin Cooper (Chin Chin), Guy Grossi (Grossi Restaurants and proud Starlight ambassador), Nicky Riemer (Bellota), Phil Wood (Laura at Pt Leo Estate) and MCEC’s very own Alessandro Bartesaghi and Ian Burch.
Guests were greeted with a delicious range of canapes showcasing the talents of MCEC’s Executive Chef, Peter Haycroft and his team of chefs, who said the evening is always a special event to host.
“This is the eighth year we’ve been involved in the Starlight Five Chefs Dinner and it’s always a privilege to be able to support Starlight’s programs in Victoria, and knowing that every meal we serve contributes towards putting another smile on a sick kids face,” Mr Haycroft said.
Starlight CEO, Louise Baxter said that the organisation relies on community support to deliver its hospital programs and the iconic Starlight Five Chefs Dinners plays a significant role.
“Starlight Five Chefs Dinners are unique because almost everything on the night is generously donated; the venue, Chefs’ time and expertise, food, wine, entertainment, and auction items,” Mrs Baxter said.
“This enables us to ensure that more of every dollar raised on the night goes directly to Starlight programs and giving the joy of childhood to seriously ill children and their families at a time they need it most.
“Last night’s dinner was a great commemoration of how many sick kids’ lives we’ve impacted and will continue to support.”
For more information visit www.starlightfivechefs.org.au/melbourne